Dual-access jewelry armoire

ABSTRACT

Described herein is a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus having a plurality of storage compartments, the top compartment of which is a jewelry enclosure with multiple modes of access including at least a top lid and a drawer. The items stored in the inner space of the jewelry enclosure may be accessible by either lifting up the top lid or pulling out the drawer.

BACKGROUND

There are many devices and pieces of furniture purposed for storing jewelry. One such item is the jewelry armoire. Traditional jewelry armoires include drawers that slide open from the front. Above the drawers is a compartment that is accessed by a conventional flip-top (usually hinged) lid. The underside of the lid can include a mirror, such that flipping open the lid allows the user to see how they look with the jewelry. While this can be a useful space-saving combination, it has some drawbacks.

One such drawback is the loss of usable surface area on the top plane of the armoire. The top plane of a traditional armoire can usually accommodate functional and decorative items like lamps and pictures. However, the conventional jewelry armoire requires the top plane be unencumbered in order to open the lid and access the contents of the top jewelry box compartment. This also means that the jewelry armoire cannot be used to its fullest potential when located in a spot where the clearance height is less than the height of the fully opened lid (e.g. under an angled ceiling, wall-mounted cabinet, or fixture).

Another such drawback is that the top-access lid may find it difficult to view and interact with contents positioned at the extreme near or far sides of the compartment. Further, the user might need to hold open the top-access lid while interacting with the contents of the top compartment, which can also make interacting with the contents difficult. Another drawback is the lack of functionality in the area on the front façade of the jewelry armoire directly in front of the jewelry box compartment space.

In view of at least the above shortcomings, a need exists for a jewelry armoire with a jewelry enclosure that provides multiple modes of access.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the disclosure, described herein are certain embodiments of a dual-access jewelry armoire (or “DAJA”). A DAJA can include a body with a jewelry enclosure as its top-most storage compartment, and at least one other storage compartment. The jewelry enclosure can be used to store various types of jewelry, and can be accessed by at least two points of access including a drawer element and a top lid element. In an embodiment, the body's dimensions do not exceed 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 49 inches tall.

The top lid element can include an interior (to the jewelry enclosure) and exterior surface, as well as a structural mating element such as a hinge. In an embodiment, the lid can be lifted up so a user can view and interact with the contents of the jewelry enclosure. The top lid element can include a mirror on the interior surface, which can allow the user to view themselves sporting various jewelry articles while the lid is lifted up.

The drawer element can include a drawer face, a drawer storage area, and an excursion element such as a drawer slide or bearing. The drawer face can allow the user to pull the drawer element out to view and interact with the contents of the jewelry enclosure. The face can include one or more gripping devices such as knobs and handles. The drawer storage area can provide the space where jewelry is actually stored. In an embodiment, the drawer storage area can have a plurality of sections, dividers, posts, cavities, and compartments to facilitate the storage and display of different types of jewelry. In an embodiment, one or more surfaces in the jewelry storage space can be lined with a felt material on which jewelry can safely be placed without causing scratches or blemishes.

The other storage compartments can include one or more general purpose or special purpose compartments such as drawers, cubbies, lockboxes, additional jewelry storage spaces, etc. In an embodiment, a DAJA can have four additional drawers lined up on the front face of the DAJA along with the drawer face of the drawer element.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts exemplary perspective views of a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B depicts exemplary perspective views of a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C depicts exemplary sectional views of a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method of manufacture of a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus consistent with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring now to FIG. 1A-C, an example dual-access jewelry armoire 100 is illustrated. The dual-access jewelry armoire 100 (“DAJA”) can include both a jewelry enclosure 120 and additional storage, with the jewelry enclosure 120 having at least two modes of access. The jewelry enclosure 120 can be situated at the top of the DAJA 100, accessible via a top lid 130 or a drawer element 140. The additional storage can be in the form of storage compartments 110 (e.g. drawers) in the body of the DAJA 100.

Having at least two modes of access to the jewelry enclosure 120 can be advantageous for several reasons. First, items can be placed on the top surface of the jewelry armoire 100 (or the jewelry armoire 100 can be placed in a low clearance location) without limiting access to the jewelry enclosure 120. Instead, the drawer element 140 can continue to provide that access even when lid access is restricted.

Second, having a drawer with pull out access in addition to a top-opening lid can be more convenient and/or more accessible than a top-opening lid alone. As an example, a user may be able to slide out, peruse, and slide in a drawer more quickly, with less effort and fewer hands, than lifting the top-opening lid 130.

As another example, a user in a wheelchair positioned next to the DAJA 100 may find it easier to view and interact with the contents of the jewelry enclosure 120 by siding out the contents via a drawer element 140 than by propping the lid 130 and viewing the contents from above.

Third, some users may prefer to have the front façade 141 of the armoire in front of the jewelry enclosure 120 be a functional point of access rather than a fake drawer, featureless area, or an immobile piece of decorative trim.

A dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100 can have a body with an anterior surface 101, a posterior surface 102, and lateral surfaces 103. The body of a DAJA 100 can be many different shapes. In an embodiment, the body of the DAJA 100 can be roughly of the shape of a rectangular cuboid (as depicted in FIGS. 1A-C). In other embodiments, the DAJA 100 may have a non-rectangular plan view footprint, such as a trapezoid, hexagon, or irregular polygon, or may not have clearly defined “sides” (as with a DAJA 100 in a roughly cylindrical or horizontal cylindric segment shape).

In an embodiment, a DAJA 100 can have a width (i.e. measured along the anterior 101 or posterior 102 surface) of no more than 24 inches, a depth (i.e. measured along a lateral surface 103) of no more than 18 inches, and a height of no more than 49 inches. As used herein, the term “not exceeding” means “no more than.” In aspects of the embodiment wherein the body of the DAJA 100 is not a rectangular cuboid, the total extent of the DAJA 100 in three dimensions may fit within a rectangular cuboid measuring 24 by 18 by 49 inches.

A DAJA 100 can have a plurality of storage compartments 110, of which a jewelry enclosure 120 is one. Other storage compartments 110 can take the form of drawers or doored compartments. For example, a storage compartment 110 could be a slide-out drawer (e.g. loose, or on one or more glides, bearings, braces, or tracks), or a space accessible by a side-hinged, flip-up, flip-down, pocket, roll (tambour), etc. door. A storage compartment 110 can be a space for general-purpose storage, or it can be dedicated to a more specific purpose (e.g. storing jewelry in addition to the jewelry enclosure 120).

In an embodiment, DAJA 100 can have a jewelry enclosure 120 and at least one other storage compartment 110. In one aspect, DAJA 100 can include a jewelry enclosure 120 and at least four other storage compartments 110 arranged vertically on a same side of the DAJA 100. In an example, as depicted in FIGS. 1A-C, a DAJA 100 can have seven drawers and the drawer element 140 of the jewelry enclosure 120 arranged vertically along the anterior surface 101 of the DAJA 100.

In another aspect, DAJA 100 can have storage compartments 110 on the lateral 103 or posterior 102 surfaces. In an example, DAJA 100 can have drawers on the anterior surface 101 and side-hinged doors on one or more lateral surfaces 103. In another example, DAJA 100 can have drawers on each of the anterior 101, posterior 102, and lateral 103 surfaces.

The DAJA 100 can have a jewelry enclosure 120 situated as the top-most storage compartment 110. The jewelry enclosure 120 can be purposed for the storage and/or display of jewelry (such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, watches, earrings, brooches, cufflinks, etc.). The jewelry enclosure 120 can have at least two points of access. In an embodiment, the jewelry enclosure 120 has the top lid element 130 as a first point of access, and the drawer element 140 as a second point of access.

The top lid element 130 can be a first point of access to the jewelry enclosure 120 and the top-most element of a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100. By lifting it from its resting position against the body of the DAJA 100, the top lid element 130 can serve as a point of access to the inside of a jewelry enclosure 120. The top lid element 130 can include an interior surface 132 (i.e., facing into the jewelry enclosure 120), an exterior surface 131, and a structural mating element 133 for connecting the top lid element 130 to the body of the DAJA 100. In an embodiment, the exterior surface 131 can be flat and thus a suitable surface for the placement of functional or decorative items (e.g. a picture frame, a vase, or a necklace tree). In another embodiment, the interior surface can include one or more mirrors 134.

In an embodiment, the structural mating element 133 can be one or more hinges connecting the distal edge of the top lid element 130 to the posterior surface 102 of the body. The hinge(s) can allow the top lid element 130 to open by lifting the proximal side, causing axial rotation about the rear hinge(s) (tracing an arc from the anterior surface 101 towards the posterior surface 102).

In the alternative or in addition, the structural mating element 133 can include a single or dual lift mechanism mounted inside the lateral surface 103 walls, inside the jewelry enclosure 120, or on the outside of the body. Such lift mechanism can take many different forms, such as a spring lift, piston, latch, prop, stay, or other mechanism. Such a mechanism may allow the top lid element 130 to be lifted from the jewelry enclosure 120 in a manner other than axial rotation about a rear hinge—as with a Turner lift, a center-mounted spinner, or an articulated arm.

In another embodiment, the structural mating element 133 can be a fitted lid configuration wherein the interior surface 132 of the top lid element 130 is shaped to seat stably in the top of the jewelry enclosure 120. Such a structural mating element 133 would allow opening the top lid element 130 by lifting it completely off the body of the dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100.

A drawer element 140 can be a second point of access to a jewelry enclosure 120. A drawer element 140 can slide out of the body of the DAJA 100, along with some or all of the contents of the jewelry enclosure 120. A drawer element 140 can include a drawer face 141, a drawer storage area 142, and at least one excursion element 143 for connecting the drawer element 140 to the jewelry enclosure 120 and enabling ingress and egress of the drawer element 140 from the body of the DAJA 100.

A drawer face 141 can be a visible exterior component of the drawer element 140 with which a user can interact (i.e., slide in or out) to access a jewelry compartment 120. In an embodiment, a drawer face 141 can have the visual appearance of a drawer, and may include one or more knobs or handles to allow pulling and pushing the drawer element 140.

In another embodiment, a drawer face 141 can have the relatively less obtrusive visual appearance of a piece of trim or molding, while still allowing a user to slide the drawer out of the body. In one aspect, the body of a DAJA 100 can include a first portion of a trim element, and the drawer face 141 can have or be a second portion of a trim element, such that the drawer element 140 when closed has a continuous visual appearance across the trim. This can cause the drawer element 140 to be less visually perceptible as being a drawer at all. This can act as a security feature, in that a person not intended by the user to have access (e.g., a thief) may not think to pull on a piece of trim that is not obviously a drawer—especially if the general appearance of the DAJA 100 and/or items on top of the top lid element 130 give the impression that it is a traditional armoire without a jewelry compartment 140.

A drawer storage area 142 can be the space that facilitates the jewelry storage function of the jewelry compartment 120, i.e. the place where jewelry is stored and displayed. A jewelry storage area 142 can be a simple undivided space, or can have a plurality of features such as dividers, cavities, open and lidded compartments, posts, pockets, and special purpose sections dedicated to specific kinds of jewelry (rows of ring holders, watch display forms, etc.). A jewelry storage area 142 can be single- or multi-tiered. In an example, a two-tiered drawer storage area 142 can have a top tray that can be lifted out to reveal a bottom tray. In an embodiment, pulling out the drawer element 140 can allow top-down access to a storage compartment 110 situated immediately below the drawer element 140 (e.g. the next drawer down). This can also be the sole means of accessing the lower space (as with a storage compartment 110 that is not a pull out drawer nor accessible from the exterior of the DAJA 100 body).

In an embodiment, the drawer storage area 142 can be configurable to accommodate a plurality of jewelry types. In an example, the drawer storage area 142 can have movable dividers between different compartments. In another example, inserts embodying various storage option configurations (e.g. 1×2, 2×2, and 3×3 grids of compartments with drop in special purpose sections) can be interchanged.

In an embodiment, the drawer storage area 142 of drawer element 140 can include at least one surface lined with felt material. Such a lining can act as a safe surface for soft metals and delicate or fragile articles. Felt material can include felt, felt-like fabrics, velvet, velour, microfiber cloth/fabric, and other soft non-abrasive materials. Features such as ring holders, compartments, and dividers can be lined in a felt material.

The drawer element 140 can have one or more excursion elements 143. The excursion element(s) 143 can not only structurally connect a drawer element 143 to a jewelry enclosure 120, but also allow the drawer element 140 to slide in and out of the body of the dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100. As with the sliding mechanisms available to any other storage compartment 110, the excursion element 143 of the drawer element 140 can take any number of forms such as glides, bearings, braces, tracks, or an unmounted (i.e. fitted) configuration.

A dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100 can include a locking mechanism. A locking mechanism can prevent the opening of one or more storage compartments 110 or points of access thereto. A locking mechanism can be a simple as a key or combination lock, or potentially as complex as a fingerprint or iris scanner. A locking mechanism can be located on any surface of the DAJA 100, including the anterior 101, posterior 102, lateral 103, external 131 (top) surfaces or in a gap on the underside. A locking mechanism may be evident (as with a visible keyhole on the front of the DAJA 100) or hidden (as with a keypad disguised beneath continuous piece of trim).

In an embodiment, at least one of the top lid element 130 and the drawer element 140 includes a locking mechanism to prevent access to the jewelry enclosure 120. In one aspect, each of the top lid element 130 and the drawer element 140 can have its own locking mechanism, such the when both are locked, the jewelry enclosure 120 cannot be accessed. In another aspect, the top lid element 130 and the drawer element 140 can share a single locking mechanism, such that engaging the mechanism prevents access via either the top lid element 130 or the drawer element 140, while disengaging the mechanism allows access via both.

In an example, the drawer face 141 can have a keyhole, allowing a key to engage a lock on both the top lid element 130 and the drawer element 140. In another example, a drawer face 141 having a second portion of a trim element continuous in visual appearance with a first portion of a trim element on the body (as described above) may be unsuitable for a discernable security feature such as a keyhole. In that example, a locking mechanism such as a keypad can be located on the posterior surface 102 of the DAJA 100, out of easy view and access of a casual observer.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an exemplary method 200 of manufacturing a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100 consistent with an embodiment of the invention. In the following steps, the term “user” includes such actors as a furniture manufacturer, builder, assembler, or end purchaser (e.g. of “flat-pack,” or manufactured but unassembled furniture), or any person or business that fabricates a jewelry box or jewelry armoire in accordance with method 200.

At step 210, a user can form a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100 body, with the body's dimensions not exceeding a width of 24 inches, a depth of 18 inches, and a height of 49 inches. The dimensions are inclusive of all storage compartments 110, including the jewelry enclosure 120 at the top of the DAJA 100. This step can include a great variety of fabrication techniques, including carving, lathing, gluing, fastening, bracing, pressing, molding, shaping, sanding, and many other techniques widely understood in the art. A DAJA 100 body can include a base, feet, sides, decorative elements, and spaces and/or hardware to accommodate storage compartments 110.

At step 220, a user can form at least two storage compartments 110. Step 220 can include the substep 230 of forming a jewelry enclosure 120, and substep 240 or forming at least one other storage compartment 110.

At step 230, a user can form a jewelry enclosure 120, which can include the substep 230 a of forming a top lid element 130 and substep 230 b of connecting the top lid element 110 to the jewelry enclosure 120. Step 230 can also include substep 230 c of forming a drawer element 140 and substep 230 d of connecting the drawer element 140 to the jewelry enclosure 120.

At step 230 a, a user can form the top lid element 130 with the interior surface 132, an exterior surface 131, and at least one structural mating element 133. The structural mating element 133 can be, e.g., a hinge, lift, gear, or piston. This step can also include connecting a mirror to, or creating a mirror (i.e. any reflective, specular, or mirror-like surface) from, the interior surface 132 of the top lid element 130. The materials comprising the top lid element 130 can be opaque (as with wood or metal), see-through (as with glass or some polymers), or a combination of both types.

At step 230 b, a user can connect the top lid element 130 to the jewelry enclosure 120 (or otherwise to the body of the dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100). This step can be accomplished by connecting at least one structural mating element 133 to both the top lid element 130 and the body of the DAJA 100. This step can include multiple such connections, for example connecting two each of hinges, latches, and lifts.

At step 230 c, a user can form the drawer element 140 with the drawer face 141, drawer storage area 142, and at least one excursion element 143. The drawer face 141 can be constructed to be a visibly drawer-like nature (e.g. with knobs or handles, a rectangular boundary, or a see-through material), or to be a less visually apparent form (e.g. featureless or trim). The drawer storage area 142 can include a plurality of types of jewelry storage, and can be end-user configurable. Part of step 230 c can involve lining drawer storage area 142 in a felt material. An excursion element 143 can include a track, slide, bearing, etc. Step 230 c can include affixing all or part of an excursion element 143 to the drawer element 140. Step 230 c can also include carving or shaping an excursion element 143 from or into the drawer element 140 itself.

At step 230 d, a user can connect the drawer element 140 to the jewelry enclosure 120 (or otherwise to the body of the dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus 100). This step can be accomplished by connecting at least one excursion element 143 to both the drawer element 140 and the jewelry enclosure 120. This step can include multiple such connections, for example connecting a slide on each side of the drawer element 140. Where the excursion element 143 is simply a mechanical fit between the drawer element 140 and the jewelry enclosure 120, this step can be accomplished by simply inserting the drawer element 140 appropriately into the jewelry enclosure 120 (or generally, into the body of the DAJA 100).

At step 240, a user can form at least one other storage compartment 110. The storage compartment(s) 110 can be separable objects (as with drawers), or compartment doors affixed onto or built into the DAJA 100. In one embodiment, this step can include forming at least four storage compartments 110. In one aspect, these storage compartments 110 can be drawers of roughly equal proportion and visual appearance. In another embodiment, this step can be accomplished by an end-user who receives a mostly assembled DAJA 100 without drawers fully assembled yet.

At step 250, a user can connect the jewelry enclosure 120 and other storage compartments 110 to the DAJA 100, with the jewelry enclosure 120 as the top-most storage compartment 110.

Though some of the described methods have been presented as a series of steps, it should be appreciated that one or more steps can occur simultaneously, in an overlapping fashion, or in a different order. In particular, it should be appreciated that parts of, or the entirety of, various storage compartments 110 (including the jewelry enclosure 120) may be fabricated, assembled, affixed, or otherwise included in the body during step 210. Indeed, any of the steps 220-250 can occur as part of, concurrent with, or in combination with, step 210.

For example, as part of forming the body in step 210, drawer slides and/or accompanying drawers may be installed into the jewelry enclosure 120 or another storage compartment 110. For another example, the gross shape of the DAJA 100, including connecting the top lid element 130, may be completed during step 210. Likewise, some parts of the body may be created or assembled during a later step. For example, a first portion of a trim element and matching second portion of a trim element can be simultaneously applied to the body and the drawer face 141 during step 230 c. For yet another example, a locking mechanism can be built into the body and the access points during step 210, or later in the process.

As used herein, “forming” is not mean to limit the manner in which any portion of the jewelry armoire 100 is created. For example, forming can include cutting wood, gluing, nailing, screwing, molding a material such as a plastic, or three-dimensional printing. Additionally, the jewelry armoire 100 can be a jewelry box in one example.

The order of steps presented are only illustrative of the possibilities and those steps can be executed or performed in any suitable fashion. Moreover, the various features of the examples described here are not mutually exclusive. Rather any feature of any example described here can be incorporated into any other suitable example. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus comprising: a body having a width of no more than 24 inches, a depth of no more than 18 inches, and a height of no more than 49 inches; at least two storage compartments situated in the body; and a jewelry enclosure situated as a top-most storage compartment, the jewelry enclosure having at least two points of access, including: a top lid element as a first point of access, the top lid element including: an interior surface and an exterior surface; and at least one structural mating element that attaches the top lid element to the body; and a drawer element as a second point of access, the drawer element including: a drawer face; a drawer storage area distal to the drawer face, the drawer storage area being situated on an interior of the jewelry enclosure when the drawer element is closed; and at least one excursion element for structurally connecting the drawer element to the jewelry enclosure, the excursion element enabling ingress and egress of the drawer element.
 2. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, further including a trim element, wherein a first portion of the trim element is on the body and a second portion of the trim element is on the drawer face, such that closing the drawer element gives the trim element a continuous appearance across the first and second portions.
 3. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top lid element and the drawer element has a locking mechanism.
 4. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drawer element and the lid element share a locking mechanism that prevents access to the drawer storage area by preventing either one from being opened while the locking mechanism is engaged.
 5. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the top lid element includes a mirror.
 6. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drawer storage area includes at least one surface lined with a felt material.
 7. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drawer storage area is configurable to accommodate a plurality of jewelry types.
 8. The dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two storage compartments includes at least five storage compartments arranged vertically on a same side of the dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus.
 9. A method of manufacturing a dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus, including: forming a body, the body having a width of no more than 24 inches, a depth of no more than 18 inches, and a height of no more than 49 inches; forming at least two storage compartments, wherein one of the at least two storage compartments is a jewelry enclosure, further wherein forming the jewelry enclosure includes: attaching a top lid element to the jewelry enclosure with a hinge, the top lid element including an interior surface and an exterior surface, such that the top lid element can serve as a first point of access to the jewelry enclosure; slidably attaching a drawer element to the jewelry enclosure such that the drawer element can serve as a second point of access to the jewelry enclosure, the drawer element including: a drawer face; and a drawer storage area distal to the drawer face, the drawer storage area being situated on the interior of the jewelry enclosure when the drawer element is closed; and wherein the jewelry enclosure is situated as the top-most storage compartment.
 10. The method of claim 9, further including connecting a first portion of a trim element to the body and connecting a second portion of the trim element to the drawer element, such that the trim element has a continuous appearance across the first and second portions when the drawer element is closed.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the jewelry enclosure includes connecting a locking mechanism to at least one of the top lid element and the drawer element.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the top lid element includes connecting a mirror to the interior surface of the top lid element.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the drawer element includes lining at least one surface of the drawer storage area with a felt material.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the drawer element includes a drawer storage area configurable to accommodate a plurality of jewelry types.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the body includes at least five storage compartments arranged vertically on a same side of the dual-access jewelry armoire apparatus.
 16. A jewelry box comprising: a drawer element, the drawer element including: a drawer face; a drawer storage area distal to the drawer face, the drawer storage area including at least one surface lined with a felt material to accommodate a plurality of jewelry types; and at least one excursion element that slidably connects the drawer element to the jewelry box, the excursion element enabling ingress and egress of the drawer element; a top lid element situated as the top-most element of the jewelry box and connected to the jewelry box via a hinge, wherein the top lid element covers the drawer storage area when the drawer element is closed, such that lifting the top lid element allows access to the drawer storage area; and a storage compartment situated below the drawer element; wherein the jewelry box has a width not exceeding 24 inches, a depth not exceeding 18 inches, and a height not exceeding 49 inches.
 17. The jewelry box of claim 16, wherein at least one of the drawer element, the top lid element, and the storage compartment includes a locking mechanism.
 18. The jewelry box of claim 17, wherein the drawer element and the lid element share a locking mechanism that prevents both the drawer element and the lid element from being opened while the locking mechanism is engaged.
 19. The jewelry box of claim 16, wherein the storage compartment, drawer element, and top lid element are configured such that the storage compartment situated immediately below the drawer element, when closed, can be accessed from above while the jewelry drawer is pulled out and the top lid element is open.
 20. The jewelry box of claim 19, wherein the storage compartment situated immediately below the drawer element is accessible only when the jewelry drawer is pulled out and the top lid element is open. 